Stephen John Watts

A driver faces involuntary manslaughter charges after striking a pedestrian early Sunday near uptown Charlotte.

Killed was 31-year-old Autumn Lynn Soyka.

Police said Soyka died at about 1 a.m. when she was struck by a 2004 Cadillac CTS while trying to cross in the 1900 block of E. 7th Street in the Elizabeth neighborhood, just a few blocks from Presbyterian Hospital. Police said Soyka was not crossing at an intersection and was not in a marked crosswalk at the time of the collision.

The driver of the car, Stephen John Watts, 51, remained at the scene until police arrived. After officers administered a field sobriety test, he was charged with DWI, involuntary manslaughter and license restriction violation.

Anyone who witnessed the crash or has information about the case is asked to call Detective Sammis (704-336-8862), who is leading the investigation.

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